Chemical and Substance Use Resources

Underage Drinking is Common

Learn about the Minimum Legal Drinking Age laws

Alcohol is the most commonly used substance among young people in the U.S.³

The 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey³ found that among high school students, during the past 30 days

• 23% drank alcohol.
• 11% binge drank.
• 5% of drivers drove after drinking alcohol.
• 14% rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.

Rates of current and binge drinking among high school students have generally been declining in recent decades. Although males historically had higher rates, in 2019 and 2021, female high school students were more likely to drink alcohol and binge drink than male high school students.^3,4

Underage Drinking is Dangerous

Youth who drink alcohol are more likely to experience^4-7

• School problems, such as higher rates of absences or lower grades.
• Social problems, such as fighting or lack of participation in youth activities.
• Legal problems, such as arrest for driving or physically hurting someone while drunk.
• Physical problems, such as hangovers or illnesses.
• Unwanted, unplanned, and unprotected sexual activity.
• Disruption of normal growth or sexual development.
• Physical and sexual violence.
• Increased risk of suicide and homicide.
• Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes and other unintentional injuries, such as burns, falls, or drowning.
• Memory problems.
• Misuse of other substances.
• Changes in brain development that may have life-long effects.
• Alcohol poisoning.

In general, the risk of youth experiencing these problems is greater for those who binge drink than for those who do not binge drink.^6,7

Early initiation of drinking is associated with development of an alcohol use disorder later in life.⁸

MN Medical Cannabis Program Updates (2022)

Quiz: What's Your Marijuana IQ?

Marijuana and Pregnancy

Mind Matters: The Body's Response to Marijuana

Today’s marijuana is more potent than the marijuana that was available to a generation ago.  Potency is measured by the amount of the mind altering chemical THC that is contained in marijuana. 

In the 1980’s the concentration of THC averaged 4%.  In 2012 the concentrations averaged around 15%.  The mild euphoric feelings smoking marijuana left someone in the 1980’s have now been replaced by some users reporting being in catatonic states or hallucinating after using small amounts.  

In 2016, approximately 21% of Sherburne County high school juniors reported past 30-day marijuana use on the Minnesota Student Survey, which was an increase of nearly 6 percent from 2013.  The same year also saw decreases in perceived harm and less disapproval of use among teens. 

Unfortunately, developing brains may be more prone to damage.  The part of the brain which controls reasoning and impulses, known as the prefrontal cortex, isn’t fully developed until about age 25. 

Marijuana use can reduce thinking, memory, and learning functions.  These effects may last a long time or even be permanent.

Marijuana use carries real risks for our youth, just as alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs do. Parents are the most powerful influence in a child’s life.  Talk early and often about the risks, set clear rules against drug use, and enforce reasonable consequences for breaking the rules.

Synthetic Marijuana

Points to Remember

• Synthetic cannabinoids refer to a growing number of human-made mind-altering chemicals sprayed on dried, shredded plant material or vaporized to produce a high.

• Synthetic cannabinoids are sometimes misleadingly called synthetic marijuana (or fake weed) because they act on the same brain cell receptors as THC, the mind-altering ingredient in marijuana.

• The effects of synthetic cannabinoids can be unpredictable and severe or even life-threatening.

• The only parts of synthetic cannabinoid products that are natural are the dried plant materials. Chemical tests show that their active ingredients are human-made cannabinoid compounds.

• Synthetic cannabinoid users report some effects similar to those produced by marijuana:

  • elevated mood

  • relaxation

  • altered perception

  • symptoms of psychosis

• Synthetic cannabinoids can also cause serious mental and physical health problems including:

  • rapid heart rate

  • vomiting

  • violent behavior

  • suicidal thoughts

• Synthetic cannabinoids can be addictive.

• Behavioral therapies and medications have not specifically been tested for treatment of addiction to these products.

• Overdoses can occur and can cause:

  • toxic reactions

  • raised blood pressure

  • reduced blood supply to the heart

  • kidney damage

  • seizures

• Deaths can occur when dangerous synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, are added without the user knowing.

Fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 49 years old, yet many of those who are most at risk for an accidental fentanyl overdose still aren’t aware of just how prevalent and lethal this drug can be. 

In Rescue Agency's research with hundreds of adults across the country, they discovered which messaging strategies resonate with this audience and encourage them to take action to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. They created our new, ready-to-implement media campaign The Fentanyl Effect based on these research insights. 

DEA Warns of Brightly-Colored Fentanyl

Used to Target Young Americans

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is advising the public of an alarming emerging trend of colorful fentanyl available across the United States.

In August 2022, DEA and other law enforcement partners seized brightly-colored fentanyl and fentanyl pills in 18 states. Dubbed “rainbow fentanyl” in the media, this trend appears to be a new method used by drug cartels to sell highly addictive and potentially deadly fentanyl made to look like candy to children and young people.

In September 2021, DEA launched the One Pill Can Kill Public Awareness Campaign to educate Americans about the dangers of fake pills. Additional resources for parents and the community can be found on DEA's Fentanyl Awareness page.

Death delivered to your doorstep.

Deceptive drugs made of fentanyl are killing young people across America at an alarming rate. 

Fentanyl is infiltrating our communities through counterfeit pills, cocaine and any other street drug you can name. Anonymously sold through social media and delivered within minutes.

Learn about it now before it kills you or someone you love.

For more information visit:

https://stopthevoid.org

https://anfhelp.org

Car Talk - Talk Early, Talk Often

Use natural opportunities such as driving (or riding) somewhere or during dinner to start open, honest conversations about drinking and other drug use.

Seek discussion, don't lecture! Share your own experiences and opinions and how they have changed over the years. As you are willing to open-up and share experiences, so will your child.

The DEA has created a fact sheet to give parents, caregivers, educators, and other influencers a road map on how emojis are used in conjunction with illegal drug activity. It lists symbols used to communicate about specific substances often advertised and sold on social media and e-commerce platform